Application of Two-Stage Ultrafiltration for High Water Recovery and Minimal Waste Discharge in Big Timber, MT

A two-stage ultrafiltration system designed, built, and commissioned for the City of Big Timber, MT, is described. After a thorough review of technology options, while determining how to bring their WTP system into compliance and work with existing infrastructure options and limits, the City elected to install a two-stage ultrafiltration system in part because of its efficient use of water, compact footprint, and minimal waste streams. The project background, process details, equipment design, and early performance results are all presented. The paper shows how the system was designed for 99.7% recovery, and that it is achieving closer to 99.9% overall recovery in practice.